Navigating Our “Way” Back – With A Million Steps Forward
The Camino scallop shell symbolizes rebirth, leaving your old life behind and embarking on a new spiritual journey.
Author’s Note: Over the course of 40 days (and circa 1.3 million steps) my wife Ali and I recently completed our long-planned pilgrimage across the Camino de Santiago, also known as the “Way of St. James”. We’ve done our best to capture the essence of our life-changing experience within the essay below.
As we embarked on the 500-mile Camino de Santiago starting from the small town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, and culminating in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, we endured a pivotal journey that touched our very cores. Each step along this ancient pilgrimage route challenged us physically, mentally, and spiritually, pushing us to limits we never knew we had. Our feet ached and blistered, our muscles screamed in protest, yet our spirits soared with a newfound sense of purpose.
We experienced a tumultuous rollercoaster of emotions: frustration when faced with unexpected hurdles, pure joy in the friendships forged along the way, and awe at the breathtaking landscapes that unfolded before us. But there was also trepidation as we pushed our bodies beyond their comfort zones, overwhelming gratitude for the kindness of strangers, moments of unbridled wonder at the centuries of history beneath our feet, and unexpected waves of Grief. This grief emerged not only as we confronted and released old burdens, but also as we learned of fellow pilgrims who departed this life on the trail, their journeys abruptly ending before reaching Santiago. Each loss was a stark reminder of life’s fragility and added a bittersweet note to our pilgrimage.
We felt exhilaration as we conquered steep climbs, and discovered deep inner peace in quiet contemplation. In moments of solitude, we were enveloped by a symphony of silence, where nature’s subtle sounds became a melodious backdrop to our introspection. Through often scorching heat and treacherous conditions, we pressed on, slowly shedding the weight of our everyday lives and embracing the beautiful simplicity of the Camino.
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. – Maya Angelou.
With each milestone, a sense of accomplishment washed over us, and we found ourselves changing in ways we couldn’t have imagined when we first shouldered our backpacks. As our journey came to an end, it became clear that we had left behind our doubts, fears, and the constraints of our old selves. In their place, we gained extraordinary gifts of Wisdom: the power of perseverance, the beauty of human connection, the peace found in simplicity, and the profound understanding that life’s true journey is not about the destination, but the transformation that occurs along the way.
The Camino is a path that leads you back to yourself. – Unknown
Wisdom Gained
- The power of simplicity and Minimalism: Living with bare essentials for hundreds of miles proved liberating. Happiness was found in basic comforts like a comfortable bed, warm meal, or beautiful sunset. This simplicity allowed for mental decluttering, providing Clarity on priorities and values, and inspiring a simpler Lifestyle focused on what truly matters.
- Transformative community and connection: The Camino created a unique social environment where strangers quickly became friends and supporters. Diverse individuals from around the world united by a common goal experienced kindness from fellow pilgrims and locals alike. This restored faith in humanity and inspired more open, trusting, and meaningful Relationships in everyday life.
- Growth through discomfort: The journey challenged us physically and mentally with a daily routine of long walks, difficult conditions, and unfamiliar situations. Overcoming these obstacles built resilience, self-confidence, and adaptability. Stripped of familiar comforts, we were forced to confront avoided aspects of ourselves, leading to personal breakthroughs.
- The power of presence: The repetitive nature of walking for hours each day naturally led to a meditative state, shifting relationships with time and thought. We became intensely aware of our surroundings, finding deep peace in the present moment. This practice of staying present surfaced as an invaluable skill to be carried forward into our post-Camino life.
- Life’s cycles and perseverance: The Camino’s day-to-day rhythm mirrored life’s cyclical nature. We experienced highs and lows, learning to keep moving forward one step at a time, while experiencing every conceivable emotion over time. This taught endurance through difficult times and the importance of balancing perseverance with rest and self-care.
- Purpose and intention: The clear goal of reaching Santiago de Compostela provided profound motivation and fulfillment. This experience inspired reflection on the role of purpose in everyday life, encouraging the pursuit of meaningful goals aligned with personal values. Over time, the journey itself became increasingly more rewarding than reaching our destination.
- Letting go of control: We learned to surrender their need for control and embrace uncertainty. Adapting to changing plans due to weather, physical limitations, or unexpected opportunities opened them up to serendipity and unexpected joys. This lesson extended to rethinking and discarding entrenched perspectives, lingering animosities, and accumulated psychological weights, while opening the door to releasing the burden of hollow relationships, allowing more room for genuine bonds to flourish going forward.
- Spiritual and philosophical deepening: Our journey irrespective of its original purpose, organically evolved into a profound exploration of existential matters. Along the way, we forged unexpected bonds with the natural world, other wayfarers, historical narratives, and a sense of the transcendent. This process broadened our perspectives and led to a more nuanced grasp of our individual convictions and principles.
- Rediscovering authenticity: Freed from daily routines and social pressures, we rediscovered our core identities. Long-neglected interests and aspirations resurfaced, bringing new perspective on life’s priorities. This deeper self-awareness motivated us to reshape our futures and value genuine connections more deeply.
Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about un-becoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place. – Unknown
Our “Way” Forward
40-days, 500-miles, 1.3 Million Steps. We walked. We talked. We laughed. We cried. We prayed. We witnessed nature at its very best while enjoying a rare and remarkable “symphony of silence” day after day. We are blessed and grateful for the opportunity to have followed so many on such a storied path. The Camino stripped us bare, revealing life’s essence. In its simplicity, we discovered profound connections and inner strength. Each step, a Meditation; each challenge, a catalyst for growth. We emerged transformed, our spirits awakened to life’s true purpose. The path became a mirror, reflecting our authentic selves and our place in the vast tapestry of existence. In the end, we realized: the Camino wasn’t just a journey across Spain, but a pilgrimage through the landscapes of our souls.
Originally Published on https://www.bizcatalyst360.com/author/dennisjpitocco/
